Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, have been crowned champions of the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls’ Cup after thrashing Togo 4-0 in the final on Sunday in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Hakeem Busari-led side completed a perfect campaign, winning all five matches, including victories over Ghana and hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Harmony leads Flamingos to emphatic final victory
Captain Chidi Harmony set the Flamingos on course for the title with a first-half brace, converting two penalties in the 15th and 35th minutes to give Nigeria a 2-0 lead at the break.
Olubebube Umejiaku added a third in the 67th minute before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi completed the emphatic victory with a 90th-minute strike.
The win capped an unbeaten tournament for the Flamingos, who won all five of their matches.
Harmony said the team was proud of its achievement, particularly after overcoming Ghana and the hosts.
‘We are so proud of what we have achieved. It is not easy winning all five matches. Our main achievement is beating Ghana and the hosts, Ivory Coast,’ she said.
Flamingos turn focus to Morocco World Cup
The Flamingos will now turn their attention to preparations for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from October 17 to November 8.
Nigeria are drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland.
NFF backs Flamingos for global challenge
Emmanuel Ikpeme, acting general secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), commended the players and officials for their performance and expressed confidence in their prospects at the global tournament.
‘The Flamingos have done very well and made the nation proud, and I have this faith in the players that they are not done yet. I have confidence in the team to go to Morocco and achieve great things at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup that is starting next month,’ Ikpeme said.
He described winning all five matches as a significant achievement and said the WAFU-B tournament provided valuable preparation for the World Cup.
‘It is no mean feat to win five matches out of five in a tournament. That is a distinction. The NFF is appreciative of the WAFU-B headquarters for organising the tournament as a premium preparatory event for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, and I believe the Flamingos have benefitted immensely ahead of the global competition,’ he said.
The victorious 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup bronze medallists are expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday.